Talking toilet encourages people to call a cab!

Well call me crazy but I just love this latest impaired driving awareness tactic in the US.

According to the news story, federal funding paid to distribute talking urinal cakes that encourage patrons not to drink and drive to around 200 bars in 4 Michigan counties.

Shut up?!??! I know!!!

Picture this. You’re a guy (ok…just hang in there with me…). You are at a bar. You’ve had a few too many. You are planning to head out and drive yourself home but first, you need to hit the loo. As you stand there draining the lizard, a female voice pipes up and says:

“Listen up. That’s right, I’m talking to you. Had a few drinks? Maybe a few too many? Then do yourself and everyone else a favour: Call a sober friend or a cab. Oh, and don’t forget, wash your hands. Call a ride…get home safe!”

I love it!

Talking Urinal Cakes

Imagine the surprise customers would have. It’d be like a voice from God giving one last reminder.

The cakes also have the “Call a ride. Get home safe.” message imprinted on them.

You know, it’s the same message but it’s a completely new and unique way to get it out there. And quite frankly, anything that will get people’s attention, get them talking, and maybe even take pause before getting behind the wheel is uberlicous in my books!

Would a talking urinal cake make you think twice about driving impaired? Do you think it’ll be effective at getting the message across in a new way? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

On August 1, 2009, my beautiful mother-in-law’s life was cut tragically short by an impaired driver and my stepson’s life changed forever. In honor of Donna and Jordan Kennie, please don’t drink and drive. Impaired driving is 100% preventable. Think about it.

Comments

LOL, if the guy is really four sheets to the wind, he might think he’s hallucinating! Might be more likely to get a ride then! Our gov’t does some crazy things with its (our) money, but it would be great if it works!

Your post title was the first thing I saw this morning. I was all, “Am I…awake?” ;) So glad I was and this post is real. I think the cakes are a fabulous idea—more so after I imagined being a peeing, drunk man. Seriously, whatever works and doesn’t hurt anyone, I’m game for. A little uplifting chit chat, even from a toilet cake, could go a long way. Thanks for your awesome advocacy, Natalie!

I was going to say the same thing as Kathy! He might get really freaked out, but it might make him talk to a friend and get help! I also agree that whatever harmless, even kooky, thing is worth trying if it will stop even one person from getting behind the wheel drunk.

It is a cool idea…and even cooler that they’re trying it out in Michigan (yay, Michigan!). Do I think it will work? No, not really. At least not enough to make a big difference. Sure there will be people who would take it seriously, but when most people drive to a bar, planning to get a little buzzed, they’ve also planned to drive home afterward. Why? Because they’ve convinced themselves that they’re ‘not like’ everyone else. The alcohol doesn’t affect them like it does that falling down drunk over there. And I think the more they’ve had to drink, the more they believe this. I actually know people who have said-and believe-that.

I think the better solution to work on is the breathalyzer at the door of any establishment that serves alcohol idea. But make it a law. EVERYONE has to be tested before they’re allowed to leave the building. If they don’t pass the test, the results are recorded…what the blood/alcohol level was, and whether they called a friend, family member or cab to pick them up. Anyone who doesn’t wait in the bar for their ride is automatically issued a ticket for DUI.

It wouldn’t be that complicated. I’m sure all driver’s licenses have those magnetic strips. Just swipe the card in the breathalyzer, breathe into it and there you go. Maybe bar owners could be given a tax break for hiring a licensed bouncer to oversee this.

At the very least, it would encourage more people to do do the designated driver thing.

It’s kind of a fun idea for a serious issue…but what about the ladies? This isn’t a gender specific problem so this isn’t a solution. On the other hand, I’m LMAO picturing my father hearing this in the loo (thankfully, he does he drinking at home so isn’t risking lives on the road).

I admit that after my Wednesday post, what stood out was your proper use of the phrase “draining the lizard.” Go euphemism! The toilet idea would freak me out, but isn’t that the point? Get people’s attention?

Okay seriously. I am for anything that will stop people from becoming a killing machine. But if a person is that drunk and hears a urinal talking, well I’m not sure if that would make them think they were halluciating. One could only hope that it works. I can’t even imagine a talking urinal. I know that they make personal breath tests. But I haven’t heard about the urinal thing. Whatever works, eh? :)

Yeah. Yeah. I know. Most won’t. But, a warning that the police set up road blocks for sobriety tests might make a difference. It’s legal for police to do that. The warning (even if it’s a lie) would give most drunk drivers pause. And, earn the bartender an extra tip for the *wink, wink* inside scoop.

In my final analysis. HumoUr might work for some small percentage. Anything. Anything to get one impaired driver off the road is not a bad thing.